Detonator.



R. IANNEY.

DETONATOR.

Avvucmon msu 1uN 9.1915.

Patented May 9, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Invenar E. JANNEY DETONATOR.

Hammam man suNi 9, i915 1,182,488., Patented May 9, 1916.

ffyywf UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REYNOLD JANNEY, OF NEW YORK, N. v

DETONATOR.

Application filed June 9, 1915.

To all Niom it muy concern Be it known that I. Revisore JANNEY, acitizen of the United States. residing at New York, in the county of NewYork and State of New York` have inveited certain new and usefulImprovements in Detonators. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to detonators.

'hile it is conceivable that a detonator involving my invention canpossibly be employed in various connections, it has been designedprimarily for incorporation in or as art of a projectile.

zmong the objects of the invention are the provision of an article ofthe character set forth which can be readily and easily manufactured.which is effective and which can be handled with comparative safety butwhich can be properly exploded under the necessary conditions.

The device possesses other features of nogvelty and advantage. whichwith ,the foregoing .will be stated at length in the followingdescription wherein I will set forth 1n detail that one of the severalforms of embodiment of the invention which I have selected forillustration in the drawing-s accompanying and forming part of thepresent specification. As will be inferred I do not restrict myself tosuch disclosure; I may depart therefrom in several respects within thescope of the invention defined by thel claims following Saiddescription.

Referring to said dra\vings:'I `igure 1 is an elevation of an explosiveshell provided with a detonator embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal central section of said detonator. Fig. 3 is an elevation.and Fig. 4 a bottom plan view of the pawl carrier shown in Fig. 2. Fig.5 is an elevation of one of the pawis illustrated in said Fig. 2.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several figures.Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive being on a very much larger scale than Fig. 1.

It will be clear from what I have noted that my detonator can beemployed with or as part of projectiles or shells of various kinds. InFig. 1 I have shown a projectile or shell 2 of familiar kind. thechamber 3 of which is adapted to contain some suitable high explosive.The detonator is denoted in a general way by 4 and may be associatedwith the body of the shell or projectile 2 in any desirable manner. forexample there may be tl readed into the outer Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented May 9, 1916.

serial No. 32,995.

end of said body the familiar adapter 5 which may be utilized to receivethe detonator, the inner portion of the body of which projects into thechamber 3.

As represented the detonator comprises in its make-up a body as 6 whichmay be formed from steel. The forward end of the body is enlarged topresent the striking nose 7 fiattened as at 8 at its front. The body 6back of the nose 7 'is externally threaded as at 9 to fit the internalthreads formed in the wall of the central opening of the adapter 5. Thedetonator body 6 has a longitudinally extending bore or chamber 1() openat its inner end and closed at its outer end, the closed outer end beingas represented a short distance back of the nose 7. To close this openend of the hollow detonator body G suitable means will be provided, theplug 11 generally made of steel answering satisfactorily in thisconnection. It will be noted that the chamber or bore 10 is of threediameters which produces upon the wall of the chamber 10 the annular'shoulders 12 and 13, the shoulder 12 being at the junction of theportion of greatest and intermediate diameters', and the shoulder 13being at the junction of the port-ion of intermediate and leastdiameters. The threaded plug 11 when in place aibuts substantiallyagainst the shoulder or stop 12, and at such time may receive solder11:I poured in the circular channel or ralbet cut in the outer side ofits threaded circumference.

The chamber 10 presents a' satisfactory means for receiving a suitablecartridge which comprises in its organization some suitable highexplosive such as tetryl. f This cartridge as shown consists of an innershell 14 and an outer shell 15 both made from some suitable materialsuch as brass or German silver. The outer shell 15 has an inturned ange16 over which is bent the flange 17 of the inner shell, both shells aswill be understood being of tubular construction. These two flanges areunited together in any desirable manner, and When they are connectedthere is formed an annular double-wall tubular case. As represented thetwo Hanges are at the upper or outer end of the tetryl cartridge. Thiscartridge fits comparatively closely or snugly in the bore 10. In thespace between the two shells is placed the explosive 18 which in thepresent case is tetryl. Closing the opening at the inner or lower end ofthe cartridge are washers 19 which are pressed between the two shells.These washersy may be made from any suitable material, for example, theupper or outer washer may be of lead and the lower of asbestos or thereverse might be the case. They act to retain the tetryl in its casemade up as represented of the two shells 14 and l5 respectively. Betweenthe lower of the two washers and the body plug 1111's interposed a thirdwasher 20 which may; be of some convenient material such as lead orasbestos. This washer 20 acts to cushion the cartridge. Inside the body6 is a striker tube as 21 which can be conveniently made of brass andwhich is closed at its ends by the plugs 22 and 23 of suitable materialsuch as steel. The upper plug 23 normally bears against the closed endof the chamber 10. The lower plug has bearing against it one end of thecoiled push spring 24 which is preferably under constant compression.The lower end of said spring 24 bears against a suitable cushion such asthe disk 25 fitting in the approximately central depression 2G in theinner face of the body plug 1l. This cushion 25 may be made of anysuitable material such as asbestos and its function is to deaden theblow of the striker tube 21 when the projectile 2 is discharged from agun. The lower portion of the striker tube 21 as shown extends into theinner tube 14 of the tetryl shell, said striker tube 2l having betweenits ends diametrically opposite slots 27 to receive the points or teethof pawls hereinafter described. 'lhe striker tube 21 presents a suitablereceptacle for the striker 28 which may consist of a brass rod freelytted in the striker tube 21 and capable of motion in a longitudinaldirection with respect thereto. The striker 28 has at its lower end thecavity 29, the annular flange 30 left by the formation of the cavity orpocket having holes to receive the pin 32. these holes or perforationsbeing opposite and also in registration with holes or perforations inthe lower portion of the striker tube 21. the ends of the striker hangerpin 32 extending comparatively freely into the perforations of thestriker tube. This pin 32 presents a convenient hanger for the striker28, or as it might be otherwise stated. it acts as a convenient deviceto prevent normally accin dental movement of the striker 28 with respectto its inclosing tube 21. The upper or outer end of the striker has acomparatively deep socket or cavity 33 which as shown receives aninverted cpp 34, the cup fitting the cavity or depression 33 in acomparatively close manner and containing some high detonating explosivesuch as fulminate of mercury. This cup with its contained explosivepresents a convenient cap. The upper plug 23 of the striker tube 21 isshown provided with a pendant needle 35 surrounded in part by thestriker spring 36. The upper end of this spring bears against the innersurface of the needle plug 23, while the lower end bears against theClosed side of the cup 34. This spring 36 yieldingly presses the striker28 against the plug 22. It assists the striker hanger pin as in rasesaid striker pin should be broken or sheared ofi' by accident the spring36 will prevent the cup 34 from coming in Contact f r.

with the needle unless of course the shock be sufficiently great toovercome the tension of said spring. yI might note that the springs and36 ran be made of what is known as piano wire and that while the plug 23is of steel the needle 35 will referahly be hardened. I should also calattention to the fact that the parts of the striker mechanism present aself-contained group or unit, the unit being insertible into andremovable from the detonator 4 as such, which is a feature ofimportance.

The striker mechanism comprising the tube and the parts inclosed therebyis prevented normally from abnormal movement in some suitable manner asby the fapposite pawls 37 which are of similar construction and whichwill be hereinafter described im,

detail, the points or teeth of these pawls` projecting through the slotsor open-ings 27 to which I have already referred and entering notches as38 in register respectively with the slots or openings 27. The slots ornotches are, it will be noted, elongated slightly longtudinally of thedetonator so as to permit a slight amount of movement of the strikerunit.

Means of a suitable nature such as the carrier 39, is provided forsupporting the two diametrically opposite pawls. As represented thecarrier 39 is in the form of a tube closely fitting the upper or outerend of the chamber 10 and abutting against the upper or outer closed endof-said chamber. 'vhile the chamber and the pawl carrier 39 as well asthe tetryl cartridge to which I have already alluded may be externallycross sectionally of any suitable form, they are generally cylindrical.The pawl carrier 39 is shown as having diametrically opposite slots 40open at their lower ends and closed at their upper. ends. These slotsreceive the respective pawls 37. and they can be convenientlv formed bymilling. As a matter of fact both slots can be formed simultaneously bya milling cutter. The slots 40 are intersected respectively by grooves41, each groove as will be understood extending outwardly from itscooperating slot. These grooves can also be formed by a millingoperation` so that it becomes a simple mattei' to produce the pawlcarrier. Each pawl comprises two side sections 42 of duplicateconstruction connected near their ends bv the pins 43 and 44, the upperpin 44 extend- 'ing outward from the sections 42 and being adapted to beseated in the respective notches 41. The upper pins 44 constitute.therefore, the pivotsv of the pawls. It is a very easy matter, as willbe obvious to assemble these pawls, being simply necessary to introducethe same into their proper slots 40 and to insert the terminal portionsof the pins 44 into the pivot receiving grooves or notches 41. Extendingupwardly from the top walls or closed ends of the slots 4() are holes 45into which are driven the butts of springs 46, the springs beingsituated between the sections or cheeks of the respecltive pawls andtheir free ends bearing against the pins 43. The springs 44, therefore,tend constantly to yieldin'gly force the points or operative ends of thepawls 37 toward their working positions.

I provide a Dart in the nature of a safety device which acts normally toseparate the lpawl carrier 39 from the high explosive cartridge, and awasher 47 answers satisfactorily in this connection, this washer bearingagainst the annular shoulder or stop 13 to which I have alreadyreferred. This washer' fits closely within the chamber 10 aad the pawlcarrier 39 bears against it. Between the safety washer 47 generali) madeof steel and the tetryl cartri Ue is disposed a cartridge cushion suchas t e washer 48 which fits against the cartridge and the safety washer.The cushioning washer 48 softens the contact between the safety washerand the tetryl cartridge and may be made from any desirable material,foiwexample, asbestos or lead.

When the parts are assembled together as shown in Fig. 2 wherein theyare 'represented as occapving their normal positions, it is impossibleto explode either the explosive in the cup 34 or that between the shells14 and 15, without the violence accompanying the discharge of theprojectile 2 from a gun and of the stopping of the projectile bystriking an obstruction. If the detonator should fall base down, or ifit should receive a severe blow on the base. the striker group,including the striker 29 and the 5U`striker inclosing tube 21, mightmove downward against the spring 24. Unless the shock in the latterevent were quite violent. there would not be sufficient force operatingon the striker group or unit to cause the Same to completely compresssaid spring '24 and permit the needle plug end of the tube 21 to movedown far enough to pass the points of the pawls Q7. If the striker groupshould move far enough the plug 22 would practically engage the cushion25, and the points of the pawls will engage under the head of the needleplug 'hen the striker is in such relation. the detonator is in what isknown as set condition. If. however, the shock be not sufficient tocause the striker group or the plug 22 to practically impinge againstthe cushion Q5, the spring 24 by reaction would force the tube 21 backto its normal position and the points of the pawls would be projected bythe springs 4G through the holes 2T and into the notches 3S asrepresented in Fig. 2. 'hen, however, a projectile provided with thedetonator is shot from a gun, the shock is so great that the inertia ofthe striker group will be sutiicient to force said striker group freefrom the holding pawls 37 and inward until the plug '22 is practicallyagainst the cushion 25 at which time the points of the pawls 3T aresnapped under the overhanging portion of the plug 23, by reason of whichthe striker parts will be securely held in set condition and inreadiness to produce an explosion when the projectile is suddenlystopped by hitting an obstruction. It is proper for me to state thatwhen the parts have lnade this preliminary or initial move, the point ofthe needle 35 stands within the tetryl `cartridge. When the projectileis arrested in the manner just set forth, the moving inertia of thestriker '28 is sufiicient to shear the striker hanger pin 32 and to alsocompress the striker spring 3G. As the two pawls 37 are under the headof the needle plug 23, when the parts are set in the manner alluded to,the needle 35 cannot move forward but the striker 2l) can` so that thefulminate of mercury containing cup 34 will be driven against the pointof the needle 35 to e'lect the piercing of the cup and the discharge ofthe fulminate of mercury. The explosion of the fulminate bursts the cup34 and the striker tube and also the inside tube 14 of the tetrylcartridge. This explodes the tetryl which bursts the outer shell 15 andalso the body G which in turn explodes the high explosive in the chamber3 naturally bursting the body of the projectile. The explosive in'thechamber 3 does not concern the invention, but I might say that it may betrotyl.

I desire to call attention to the following matters: In thc normalposition of the parts as shown in Fig. 2 an accidental or automaticexplosion ofthe explosive in the cup 34 would not explode the tetryl orother cartridge, because the cup is too far away from the cartridge,being separated in addition by a safety element such as the washer`34.The fulminate capand theI cartridge are further in fact separated by thestriker tube 21 and the striker 28 itself. The striker tube is douq. blysecured in the safety position illustrated. by the tube springr 24 andby the pawls 37. It' as already stated a shock should be administeredsufiicient to temporarily drive the striker group free of the pawls 37,the spring 24 would immediately return the striker parts top1imaryposition, unless the shock were practically as severe as would bereceived on an actual discharge from a gun. The pawls 3T act as keyspreventing the striker group from rotating which would happen on accountof the riiing of the gun barrel, were not the pawls or equivalcnt meansprovided to prevent such motion of the striker group. The pawls,therefore, serre a dual function. The pawls also aid the striker hangerpin 3Q and the striker spring E36 in holding the cup 34 from the pointof the needle 35. It Will be clear, therefore, that before an explosionof the projectile can take place, the setting of the striker group mustoccur. The construction is such as to simplifyy the production of thedetonator as a manufacturing proposition. Finally I might state that theparts can be assembled and loaded comparatively free from danger ofexplosion.

Should the fulminate eXplodeaccidentally or automatically while standingin its normal position the space in which the spring 3 stands and alsothe slots in which the pawls are placed furnish gas expansion spaces forthe products of the accidental explosion without creating undue pressureagainst the tetryl cartridge. Moreover, this expansion space may beincreased by machining away more of the pawl carrier 39;

also free communication may be provided for between the inside of thestriker tube and the air space of the pawl carrier by makingperforations in the striker tube in the vicinity of the needle 35.

Vihat l claim is:

l. A detonator` for projectiles comprising an explosive cartridge, astriker unit comprising a needle, a striker and a cap, means forreleasably holding the striker unit with the cap and the needle spacedfrom the cartridge, the striker unit being automatically retractive on,the discharge of a projectile equipped with the detonator from a gun tocarry the cap and the needle in line with the cartridge and the strikerbeing automatically releasable when the projectile strikes an object tocause the cap to be enga Ted by the needle.

2. A (,etonator for projectiles comprising a tubular explosive cartridgeand a striker unit comprising a striker, a cap and a needle, means forholding the cap and the needle portion of the striker unit spaced fromthe cartridge, the striker unit being automaticallv retract-ive into thecartridge on the discharge of a projectile equipped with a detonator tocarry the cap and the needle in lineI with the cartridge and the strikerbeing automatically releasable when the projcctile strikes an object tocause the ca p to engage the needle within the cartridge.

3. A detonator for projectiles comprisingY a tubular cartridge, astriker unit, the rear portion of which is disposed in thetubulaicartridge, means for rele-f` striker unit in its forwai strikerunit comprising a str with a cap vand also comprising .i ward of thecap, the cap and the l ing forward of the cartridge then the strikerunit is in its advance pt ition.v

4. A detonator for projectiles comprising a spring backed striker unit,pawl means for holdingthe striker unitrin preliminary position7 saidstriker unit being automatically retracted on the discharge of aprojectile equipped with said detonator, from a gun, the pawl meansengaging another part of the striker unit when the latter tractedposition to thus hold said striker unit in said retracted or setposition.

A detonator for projectiles comprising a spring backed striker unit,diametrically opposite pawls for holding the striker unit in preliminaryposition, said striker unit being automatically retracted on thedischarge of a projectile equippedwith said detonator, from"a gun, saidpaWls engaging another part of the striker unit when the. latter is inretracted 'position to thus hold said strike unit in said retracted orset po: tion, j

(i. A ,detonator for projectiles cnnprisi" a spring backed striker unit,a surrounding the striker unit, s id rier having diametrically opl pawlsset in the slots, springs for il cmg pawls into engagement with the unitto holde the latter in preliminary position, said striker unit beingautomatically' retracted on the discharge of a projectile equippedwithsaid detonator, from a gun, thel pawls engaging another part of thestriker 'unit when the latter is in retracted position to thus hold saidstriker unit in said retracted position.

7. A"`detonator for projectiles comprising a spring backed strikeif,said striker being automatically retracted on the discharge of aprojectile equipped with said fl from a gun` and means tor rele( ing thestriker' in its two posit-ions,

8. A detonator for profectiles com rising a spring backed striker unit,r surn rounding said unit having divan posite slots, notchesinterseoting the slots. pawls in the slots, said 'pawls being equippedwith pivots fitted in said notches, springs acting against the pawls andthe pavils normally holding the striker unit in preliminary condition,said striker unit being automatically retracted on the discharge of aprojectik` equipped with said detonator. from a gun. the pawls engaginganother part ot the striker unit when the latter is iu retractedposition to thi'V` hold said striker unit in said retracted po. tion.

l). A detonator for projectiles comprising a striker unit haring astriker and an inclosiug tube therefor, a spring backing up onator,

said striker unit, pawl means, the tube being slotted and the strikerbeing notched opposite the slotted portion of the tube. the pziwl meansbeing toothed and nornnilly extending through the slotted portion of thetube into the notched portion of the Striker, and the paw] means being:iutoii'iatically moved tt releasing position on the retrzictivemovement of' the striker unit and being :idnpted to engage a part ot'the striker unit when the lutter is retracted to maintain theretrzif'ted relation.

1l). A detonat-or for projectiles coinpriein, r u tube`r :i Strikerslidzible in the tube, the tube having dizimetricnlly opposite notches`r:i Springr barking up the tube a carrier around the tube having slotsopen at their inner ends, pawls pivotally mounted in the slots, the tubehui/ing diainetriczilly opposite slots, the pziwls lui ving teeth toproject through the Slots of the tube :ind the striker being notched toreceive the pnyvls. Said Carrier being fixed :ind the tub(` having :ipart engngenble b'v the teeth of the puwls when the tube is retracted toa certain position.

In testimony whereof I affix in v signature in present-e of twowitnesses.

RYOLD JANNEY. Witnesses:

E. D. JANNEY, L. M. KEW.

